QUINIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Quinic acid is a crystalline compound and is classified as a type of organic acid. It is naturally present in various plants, particularly in fruits such as coffee cherries, apples, and cinchona bark. The acid itself is a white solid that is soluble in water and possesses a characteristic sour taste.
Chemically, quinic acid is a pentose derivative and specifically falls under the category of hydroxy acids due to the presence of several hydroxyl groups (-OH) attached to its carbon atoms. Its chemical formula is C7H12O6, indicating the presence of seven carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms.
Quinic acid has numerous applications due to its unique properties. It serves as an important precursor in the synthesis of other compounds, including the drug quinine, which is commonly used to treat malaria. Furthermore, it is utilized as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry, imparting a tart taste to various products. Additionally, quinic acid is also employed in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Moreover, quinic acid possesses potential health benefits as it is believed to act as an analgesic, which means it may help alleviate pain symptoms. Some studies suggest that quinic acid may have anti-cancer properties and could assist in preventing the growth of cancer cells.
In conclusion, quinic acid is an organic compound found naturally in plants, specifically in fruits, and is utilized in various industries for its chemical versatility and potential health benefits.
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Kinic acid, a crystalline acid, C7H12O6, obtained from the cinchona barks; it yields quinone on treating with sulphuric acid and manganese peroxide, and is converted into benzoic acid on heating with hydriodic acid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for QUINIC ACID
- 1uinic acid
- 2uinic acid
- wuinic acid
- auinic acid
- qyinic acid
- qhinic acid
- qjinic acid
- qiinic acid
- q8inic acid
- q7inic acid
- quunic acid
- qujnic acid
- quknic acid
- quonic acid
- qu9nic acid
- qu8nic acid
- quibic acid
- quimic acid
- quijic acid
- quihic acid
Etymology of QUINIC ACID
The word "quinic acid" is derived from its source compound, which is quinine. Quinine is an alkaloid found in the bark of the Cinchona tree. The name "quinine" is believed to have originated from the indigenous Quechua people of Peru, who referred to the tree as "quina-quina". The suffix "-ic" in "quinic acid" indicates that it is an organic acid. Therefore, "quinic acid" refers to the acid derived from quinine.
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